Two groups whose efforts help people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges have been recognized by Island Health, as part of Mental Health Week (May 6-12).
Announced on Tuesday, May 7, the winners of the 2024 Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Community Service Awards are The Community-Led Crisis Response (CLCR) Team (part of the provincial Peer Assisted Care Team (PACT) program) and the Imagine Studio Café.
“Every day in every community in B.C., we rely on front-line organizations – especially their staff and volunteers – to provide vital, lifesaving outreach and services to people who are struggling with mental health and addiction challenges,” said Jennifer Whiteside, minister of mental health and addictions. “The AVI-led Peer Assisted Care Team (PACT), and the Imagine Studio Café exemplify innovative community-based approaches that are making a significant difference in the lives of those who need it most.”
The CLCR is a program from AVI Health and Community Services and funded by the province through the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). CLCR team manager Lacey Mesley accepted the award, presented by Tasha McKelvey, clinical director of mental health and substance.
A team member with lived experience is priceless as having someone who understands what the person in crisis is going through makes all the difference, Mesley said.
“It signals to another human, ‘I get it. I get it.’”
CLCR has 26 members and hopes to expand soon, bringing more community-led crisis response teams to Greater Victoria and the whole of B.C.
“It’s important to show up for people in their time of need, to walk alongside them or to walk with them in their experience,” Mesley said.
Dorothy Morrison, managing director at Imagine Studio Cafe, received her award from John Braun, manager of the Victoria EPI program.
Imagine Studio Cafe is an independent business that helps those in need with an experiential and transformative learning space.
“They provide an experiential and transformative learning space designed as an internship business program for young men and women of all cultures and abilities,” Braun said.
Morrison has noticed that quite often, within conversations around mental health, there is an us and them mentality where people think that it will not affect them.
This is slowly transforming as more people are having open conversations about these challenges, and that change is on the way, Morrison said.
“Society wants to change.”
Mesely explained that mental health is a complex issue, and quite often, people are conditioned to call 911 if someone is having a mental health episode.
“It’s just an automatic response to that. I think it also comes from that place of being uncomfortable,” added Mesely.
The Annual Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use Community Service Awards were distributed at Umbrella Society Offices in Victoria.
“The Island Health Mental Health and Substance Use Community Service Awards are a great way to recognize and thank the people and organizations dedicated to supporting people with mental health and substance use challenges.” said Leah Hollins, Island Health board chair. “The CLCR Team and Imagine Café are instrumental in supporting people.”
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